I don't think this change in drum corp that you are focused on is that rear of an occurrence.

If you look at most youth sports programs (whether traditional or niche sports) they have pretty much evolved over the past 20 years from small neighborhood inter-leagues to more competitive travel teams. And just like drum corp the kids playing these sports play at a higher level than we ever did and are more highly skilled than we ever were thanks to special camps and better training.

Like drum corp and anything else that evolves, there are good things and bad things that come out of the evolution process. The surviving corps have more money to fund the corp, the kids are better musicians, are better fed, and travel in better conditions. On the down side, they have more dancers and even guitar players!!:)

As far as who is better off or who is having a better experience or who has better relationships or which system was better, I don’t think you can really compare them definitively as there are pros and cons to both and a lot of it comes down to the individual experience.

I agree with Peter.

Relative to the youth sports programs, my son who is now 30 played baseball from the time he was 5 through college. He played in local leagues through grammar school, local American Legion teams (junior and senior levels)in high school, and local semi-pro in junior college--the 4 year program was pretty much focused on the university's program (Team captains ran offseason program to keep within NCAA Division 2 rules). Anyway, he says that today, the guys he works with have sons who are traveling teams from about age 12 and above. Those programs can cost from $1000 to $5000 depending on the level and amount of travel. They are competitive and the kids have to try out to make the teams (sounds like DCI). These programs have pretty much killed off the American Legion baseball programs, at least in the Bay Area. (Sort of sounds like the veterans organization sponsored programs.)


I would say that the kids in the corps today, make as many friends as we did. Even though they are from different parts of the country and go home or to school after the season, they communicate by iphone, Droids, texting, email, facebook and other social sites.

I forgot to mention that one of the Cavalier members I talked to was their drum major - son of Scott Rhebergen, former Norwood member! He is marching his sixth year, which is very rare these days.

And speaking of cell phones - the Cavaliers are not allowed to have them during the season, so their focus stays on drum corps. Jeff Fiedler started this when he was directing the corps, and apparently they have continued the policy.

Good to see you back out here, Pete!

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

Wow, no cell phones!!?? That's amazing given the times and with all that traveling. Shows the commitment I guess.

Then again we never brought our phones with us:)

The cords weren't long enough...

What did you do in the Corps? Snare; Drum Major; Drum Instructor/Arranger

What years were you a Corps member? 1970-73; 78-79

The purpose is to generate cash for the butt heads that turned it into a bussiness, and like a bussiness cutting out all the small mom and pop Corps means mo money for them. Remember in any situation when something is not right always follow the money.

Based on the results of first couple of weeks of DCI seems that Cavaliers need to do more than ban cell phones. Madison beat them the other night. DCI rankings have them 9th and falling.

Well, as Peter and John have said, it is really evolution .. due to our social environment. Things change .. and there are a lot of other interests for young folks. This has affected the drum corps activity as well.

But, nobody seems to care about the youngsters without musical education. Those without a lot of money to be in a "big' drum corps. Or, to help those at risk in bad environments by helping with a positive experience.

Drum corps USED to do this. Not any more, it seems.
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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63

"there are a lot of other interests for young folks" Dave do you mean sitting for hours on end playing video games as other interest? Kids are desensitized by violence,shooting each other is worse now. Need localDrum Corps now more than ever.

Good point Greg .. BOTH arguments are true. But, it takes people willing to do this .. and money to make it happen.

There are just a few examples here in the Chicago area .... the South Shore Drill team and the Jesse White Tumblers (neither are drum corps, of courser). There IS a new drum corps in the city .... can't remember the name off hand.

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What did you do in the Corps? drummer; quartermaster 1964-66; asst. drum instr. 1964-70

What years were you a Corps member? 1958-63